Liquid-supply system



Oct. 9, 1928.

- C. H. BRASELTON LIQUID SUPPLY SYSTEM 2S ets-Sheet 1 1 5 6 Filed June6. 1922 IN VEN TOR.

Oct9, 1928. 1,686,891

c. H. BRASELTON LIQUID SUPPLY SYSTEM Filed June 6. 1922 2 Sheet-Sheet 2INVENTOR.

Patented Oct. 9, 1928.

UNITED STTES CHESTER H. BRASELTON,

OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

LIQUID-SUPPLY SYSTEM.

Application filed June 6, 1922.

This invention relates to a system and mechanism for transporting fluidstored in a main and lower tank or reservoir to auxiliary tank at ahigher level from which sub sequently fluid may be transmitted bygravity to a distributing device for in some type of power plant, as,for example, an internal combustion engine of an automotive vehicle.Specifically, the invention relates to an auxiliary tank and pumpcombination, fuel distributing system in which the pumping action isinduced by the movement of the support upon which the tank is mounted,this movement causing a reciprocating displacement of a weighted pistonwithin the tank.

An important object of the invention is the provision of mechanismassociated with the pump whereby the pumping action is positivelyterminated when the supply of liquid within the tank has reachedpredetermined level, fixed by the capacity of the tank.

Another object associated with the above named object the utilization ofmechanism for slow'ng down or retarding the pumping action as the supplyof liq .id in the tank becomes relatively large. It is an object also toprovide retarding or damping mechanism for the pump plunger which isinefiective unless submerged in the liquid which is being pumped in thetank, the retarding action of the enclosed air above the piston beingnegligible. Another important object is the provision of means foreffectively sealing the cylinder piston connection. thereby preventingthe escape or entry of gases into the pum chamber and permitting it tooperate at its highest efliciency.

It is an object also of the invention to provide a plunger orreciprocating element having a small pivotal action between the pistonproper and the plunger and permitting a slight lateral movement of theseparts thereby obviating strain upon the piston head and allowing freeaxial movement thereof within the pump cylinder. It has been foundadvisable also to prevent abnormal movement of the plunger, and it is anobject, therefore, of the invention to provide means for limiting theaxial movement of the plunger and accelerate the return of the plungerto its normal position.

Various other objects are also within the scope of this invention suchas relate to various details of construction and manufacture andassembly as will become apparent from Serial No. 566,380.

a consideration of the illustrative embodiment of my invention shown inthe accompanying drawing and described in detail hereinbelow.

Referring to the drawings,

Figure I is a conventional elevation of an automobile embodying myinvention;

Figure II is an axial sect-ion oi the tank pump element showing thevarious parts in detail;

Figure III is a plan view of the retarding valve taken on line IIIIII ofFigure II;

Figure IV illustrates an element of the plunger taken on line IV-IV ofFigure II;

F igure V and Figure VI show modified forms of plunger retarding valves.

The fuel supply of the automobile shown in Figure I is derived from themain tank or reservoir 1 situated in the rear of the automobile t'romwhich part it is conducted by means of a pipe 2 to the auxiliary tank12, which is secured to the dash board 3.

From the tank 12 the liquid feeds by gravity through conduit 4- to thecarburetor 5 whence it is distributed in the usual manner to the intakemanifold of the internal combustion engine 6.

The tank 12 as illustrated clearly in Figure II is formed with an outershell or casing 13 of cylindrical construction having in its top astamping 14 apertured at its center to receive a tubing 15. A secondstamping 16 at the base of the casing is ape "tured at the center toreceive a pipe fitting 17 and at its side to receive the outlet coupling18. A coupling 19 is screw-threaded on the fitting 17, such couplingforming a connection with the main tank pipe 2, while the coupling 18 isconnected to the pipe 4 leading to the carburetor. The lower platestamping 16 is formed with an upturned flange 20 which is welded orsoldered to the base of the casing 13. The upper or cover stamping 14is, however made detachable so that access can be had to the interior ofthe tank for the purpose of inspecting or replacing parts. To the upperedge of the cylinder 13, there is soldered a flanged ring 21 which isadapted to be detachably connected to a radial flange 22 extending fromthe top plate 14 bv means of screws 23, there being a washer or gasket24 of cork or other material placed in between the flanges so as to makethe joint gasoline or liquid tight. The outer edges of both the ring 21and flange 22 are downturned to form contacting surfaces so as toprevent lateral movement of the top plate and, moreover, hold the gasketin position between the flanges.

The pump cylinder 25 is fixed to the interior 0f the fitting l7 andextends to approximately one-third of the height of the casing, althoughsaid dimension is purely arbitrary, it being permissible to vary therelative length of the cylinder in accordance with the dimensions andweights of the other parts of the pump and easing. Fitting into the baseof the cylinder is a bushing 26 having a radially extending outer flange27 adapted to rest beneath the lower end of the cylinder and upon anannular gasket 28, which gasket is adapted to prevent leakage betweenthe fittings l7 and 19 and the cylinder 25. Beneath gasket 28 anddirectly above the inlet opening is a mesh strainer 29 adapted toprevent foreign particles from entering the pump chamber 30.

In the base of the bushing 26 is formed a relatively constricted opening31 extending about one-third the axial length of the bushing. Thecentral portion 32 of the inner part of the bushing is relativelyenlarged forming ,a shoulder 33 between the constricted portion and themedian portion, the upper part 34 of the bushing being still furtherenlarged forming a second shoulder 35. Upon the shoulder 33 a valveplate 36 is adapted normally to rest. As illustrated, the valve consistsof a thin plate stamping of circular formation preferably resting uponthe shoulder 33 and since the outer portion of the shoulder ischannelled as at 37, sticking due to surface tension is reduced to aminimum. The movement upward of the valve is limited by contact with thelower end of a tube 38 which extends upward into the interior of thepump chamber 30. This tube is held in position by means of an integralannular rib 40 which rests upon the shoulder of the bushing forming atight fit thereupon. It is thus apparent that both below and above therib of the tubing there exists an annular spacing between the tube 38and the bushing 26 on the one hand, and the tube and the interior of thecylinder 25 on the other hand, the space between the tubing and thebushing, serving the same function as the annular channel 37 inpreventing undue restriction on the action of the valve. The spacingabove the rib 40 is adapted to permit axial up and down or reciprocating movement of the extended wall 41. of the piston head 42,which, as will be seen because of the fact that a pocket is formed inthis annular channel above the shoulder, wherein liquid may accumulate,forms a seal of liquid between the moving end wall 41 of the piston andthe inner wall of the cylinder 25 thereby preventing movement of airinto and out and thus increasing the efficiency of the pump to thehighest point possible.

The piston head 42 is formed with a constricted opening 43 on top ofwhich rests a flat sheet metal valve 44, similar in construction to theinlet valve. Similarly also, an annular channei 45 is formed around thisaperture to limit adhesive eii'ects on the valve. it has been iioundadvantageous not to form the plunger element as one integral piece, butto disassociate the same, the piston head 42 having a limited pivotalconnection with the piston rod 46 by means of a pin 47, the upperportion of the piston being formed as a socket to receive the end of theplunger rod. The extreme base of the plunger rod 46 carries an insertedplug 48 which extends below said base and is adapted to contact with theoutlet valve and prevent too wide movements thereof. This plug is ofnarrow dimensions so that there is an annular space thereabout tendingto prevent cohesive action between the plate 44 and plug 48.

The piston or plunger rod 46 extends upwardly to a point acent the topof the tank and formed with a series of annular channels or depressions49 which are adapted to assi in forming a strong connection between theplunger rod and the weighted element 50 thus removing any possibility ofaxial slip. T he weighted element is of lead or any other material ofrequired density and may be cast upon the plunger rod as indicated.Adjacent the top oi the weight is an annular member 51 which is adaptedto form a bearing surface for a ring 52 fixed to the interior of thecasing and which is shaped in the form of a channel with upwardlyextending flanges 53 extending circumferentially above the interior ofthe tank. This ring serves not only as a bearing for the plunger, butalso to prevent the movement of liquid from the upper interior to thelower interior of the tank. The necessity of this construction arisesfrom the case where the use of the gasoline, or whatever liquid is used,is insufficient to remove that accumulated by the pump, a surplus beingaccumulated which would eventually fill the tank to overflowing andcreate an undesirable pres ure. Consequently, it is essential that theaction of the pump becomes minimized when the supply of liquid hasreached the point sufficient for the requirement or" the engine. It isundesirable, however, that the complete closure be made around theplunger for the reason that the air would be trapped in the top of thecasing, working against the upward motion of the plunger and thusabsorbing considerable energy. In order to obviate this difiiculty,there is formed in the ring 52 a valve mechanism 54 which, as isillustrated in Figure 11, consists of a bushing 55 having an aperture 56in itsbase fitting with a similar aperture 57 in the base of thechannelled ring 52. There is formed fit also an enlarged space 58 in theupper part of this bushing forming a ledge or shoulder 63 with the lowerpart of the bushing and adapted to receive a washer element 59 havingalso an aperture 60 adapted to coincide with the other apertures.Intermediate the washer and the ledge 63 is a valve plate 61 having aformation such as is indicated in Figure III of the drawing. Asillustrated in this ligure, the valve is formed of sheet metal havingfour radial projections 62 extending in quadrature around the peripheryof the valve, these projections resting upon the shoulder 63 formed onthe interior of the bushing or ring. The diameter of the valve is ofsuch a value that when it moved upwardly the circular portion willcompletely cover the opening (it), thus etiectually preventin g themovement of air or of liquid upwardly when a current of liquid ismoving. through the aperture. On the other hand, the friction of the aircurrent is relatively lower, being insullicient to move the *alveupwardly and passing in the annular conduit (34 about the edge of thevalve as illustrated in Figure lll lVhen the air is compress d in theupper portion of the casing b" the upward mo vemcnt of the plunger m2oh, 430, the valve 61 resting in its normal position is still furtherforced downwardly by the action of the air currents, the air, however,passing through the open passages about the valve plate. It is thusapparent that the valve can hardly be affected by the action of a gasand i hat the movement of a liquid therethrough causes movement of theplate tendii'ig to che k, or entirely arrest the axial movement oi theplunge ad thus stopping the pumping action.

The plunger with its attached mass is inlapted to be held in a normalposition relative to the cylinder from which position it may he movedthe vibration or moven'ient of the casing itself. such as would occur,for example, in an automobile when in Il'lOtlO'a]. lvleans for holdingthe plunger element in normal position are incorporated in a coil spring65 positioned about the cylinder 25 and contacting at one end againstthe bottom end plate 16, and at its upper end on a shoulder 66 formedadjacent the base of the weighted mass 50, and since the spring isconstantly in state of compression through support of the plunger load,any movement of the casing or its support, transmitted to the casing,will tend to cause a relative movement of the plunger and the casing,producing an oscillating or vibratory effect of the plunger in thecylinder, a downward displacement of the plunger being followed by areverse movement through the action of the spring, these vibrationscontinuing with rapidly decreasing amplitudes. Because of the length ofthe coil spring 65, it is apparent that the period of vibration isrelatively long and to counteract the effect of an abnormal forceapplied to the tank, it has been found advantageous to insert anadditional spring 76, one end 67 of which is secured to the plunger rodbelow the mass 50, and the other end (58 mounted free about the top ofthe cylinder so that for ordinary movement of the plunger, the springdoes no work, but merely moves up ardly and downwardly in the tank.However, should the tank be subjected to a severe ii placement, theplunger in consequence making an abnormal movement, the free end of thespring in moving down contacts against a ring (39 mounted on the outsideof the cylinder which acting in conjunction with the outer spring (35will rapidly slow down the movement of the plunger and cause animmediate and quick rebound of the same.

The aperture in the top plate or cover is adapted to hold a cylindricalbushing 15 which forms the bearing for a rod 70 slidably mounted thereinand adapted to be pushed down by means not shown until the bottom endthereof contacts with the top of the plunger member so that by manualmeans the plunger may be manipulated to cause the induction of Lquidinto the tank.

in Figure V and Figure VI are shown modifications of the valve 54, inFigure V there being disclosed a float 100 movable in a cage 101 andcarrying a central upwardly extending stem 102 which is adapted tocontact with and close the valve 103 when the liquid elevates the float100. In Figure VI the valve 110 carries upstanding lugs 111 on the upperside thereof to which is pivotally attached the float 112 through theconnecting rod 113. The valve casing 114. is divided into twocompartments 115 and 116 by the middle. valve seat. partition 117. whichpartition has a central aperture which is adapted for closure when theiloat, lifted by the liquid, draws up the valve plate 110. Free movementthrough the apertures 118 about the float is provided.

The operation of the plunger and tank mechanism should now be apparent.When applied to an automobile, the uneven roadbed will impart constantvibrations to the attached tank and its contained cylinder which causerelative movements between the piston and cylinder resulting in anirregularly intermittent pumping action. Fuel is thereby raised from thelower main tank and stored in the auxiliary tank at a higher level fromwhich it feeds by gravity to the carburetor. Should the auxiliary tankbe empty, the rod 70 is manipulated until suliicient fuel to start theengine is raised, whereupon pumpaction is automatically started and theauxiliary tank supplied with fuel until the engine stops or the tank isfilled to the ring 52.

Because of the limited pivotal connectlon between the piston and pistonrod thereby preventing binding combined with the liquid piston sealemployed, the eflieieney of the pump is materially augmented.Furthermore, by providing means for preventing abnormal displacement ofthe plunger and for arresting plunger movements when t e supply or"liquid has reached a maximum amount, the operation of the mechanism ismade essentially practical.

The vent Ti" provides additional means for disabling the pump should thevalve niraris 5 be insuitieient, since with extreme elevation of theplunger by the buoyant force ot the liquid or vibration the vent isuncovered and the pressure in the pump chamber brought to normal.

The structure shown in this applieatr n is a modification ot that shownin the a iplica" tions of Chester I'I. liraselton and l rr MacLaren,Serial No. 718. and Ca; Brocltway, Serial No. 595, ,in which a; cationsthe right to claim r 'tain features of the invention broadly it served.

hile I have illustrated and desrrilved a preferred form of theapparatus, it is of course understood that variation of rnsrrur tion andmodifications are pernnssio within the scope of the claims hereteappemh-d.

YVhat I claim is:

1. In a fuel supply system, the combination of a tank; a pump cyli derwithin the tank; a weighted plunger adapted to have axial movement inthe cylinder; means including a spring for holding said plungerresiliently in a normal position; a ring positioned around the plungerand extending to the inner wall of said tank, adapted to restrainmovement of fluid thereabove; and means including a valve adapted topermit the passage of gases only therethrough positioned in said rin 2.In a fuel supply system, the combination of a tank, a pump discharginginto the tank and including a cylinder and a weight d plunger axiallymovable in said cylinder, means including a spring for resilientlysupporting said plunger, and means for arrestin the axial movement ofsaid plunger, said means including a valve and a float for holding thevalve in closed position when the supply of liquid in the tank issuflicient to float the same.

8. In a fuel supply system, the combination of a tank, a pumpdischarging into said tank and including a pump cylinder, a weightedplunger axially movable in said cylinder, and spring means forresiliently supporting said plunger, and means within said tankincluding a flutter valve and a float for arresting the axial movementof said plunger.

l. In a fuel feed system, the combination of a tank, a cylindersupported therein, a plunger axially movable in said cylinder, intakeand discharge valves cooperating with said cyiinder and plunge, a stempivotally connected with said plunger, a weight carried by said stem,spring means for supporting said weight, and an auxiliary springsurrounding said stern. and interposed between the weight and cylinder,said spring being normally inoperative but ell'ective to restrainexcessive movements of said plunger.

5. In a tuel teed system, the combination of a tank; a cylindersupported therein; a plunger axially movable in said cylinder; intakeand discharge valves cooperating with i cv'inder and said plunger; aweight coopecau .g with said plunger to cause movereot due to theinertia of saidweight;

f lOLLlli'; for supporting said weight; an 1m spring interposed betweensaid "lit and said cylinder; and a rib integral id cylinder forsupporting said auxiliary spring, said spring being normally inratia'ebut eliective to restrain excessive mtivements of mid plunger.

6. In a device of the class described, the romhi 'oyi ot a tank, aninertia-actuated pump 4 i flit! into said tank, and including a cylinderand a plunger working therein, float controlled means for rendering saidpump inoperative when the liquid in said tank reaches a predeterminedlevel, and means for preventing abnormal displacements ct said plungerwith respect to said cylinder including a spring tree at one end andadapted under abnormal conditions of plunger movement to contact withsaid cylinder.

In testimony whereof. I a'liix my signature.

CHESTER H. BRASELTON.

